ThePigSite Pig Health

Rehydration by Mouth

(158) This is the most practical method for use in sucking pigs and weaners. Glucose water and electrolytes when combined with the amino acid glycine are well absorbed from the small intestine.

A typical electrolyte formulation would comprise:

Glucose 67.5%

Sodium chloride 14.3%

Glycine 10.4%

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate 6.8%

Citric acid 0.8%

Potassium citrate 0.2%

It is mixed with water at a rate of 30g per litre for the first 24 hours and followed by 15g per litre until the pig has recovered. The solution should be provided fresh daily in easily accessible drinkers.

A number of commercial electrolyte solutions are available but all should contain glycine.